POLICE COURT.—This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1698, 28 July 1875, Page 2

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Messrs. Macfarlane and W. J. Hurst justices.) "IKISII MOLLY OH !" Mary Salisbury, a woman in years, with her face wrinkled by time and drink> was introduced into court oh charges of drunkenness and disorderly conduct, and was discovered in that state by Constable Moore> and Ping' ing "Irish Molly Of Mary pleaded guilty; she could not help it Fined 10a and cos's, . Anne KndXj a gaily dressed wsinan, was charged with the Same offence. Atine said she was certainly drunk, but she should like to address the court on her general character and prospects. The Bench considered it unnecessary; and ; ordered Anne to pay 103 or go to Mount ■lvlen for a -change. k WELLINGTON LASS. jane Whitaker, a smart looking brunette, recently from W ellingtoD, was charged with drunkenness and vagrancy. The youog person hung down her head ahd pleaded guilty* , . , Two months imprisonment with hard labour. DESERTION. Six sailors, name/1 Thomas Smith, Charles Wilson, Robert Roberts', ,john Anderson, • Kichard Gordon, and Hector Me Callum, were charged with absenting themselves without leave from the ship, " Forfaishire" on the 25th inst.

Prisoners pleaded guilty, Itifc they did not wish to go back to the ship. The Captain said he expected t6 sail in the co.urso of next week', but iif be consented to take them back now, they would run away iigajn. I'he prisoners were committed to prison for twelve weeks ; and the Captain to have their services Mien required; Prisoners : We Won't go back, or if compelled to go back, we won't work. What say boys. The six men shouted at once " we are all of one mind we won't work." LTFR OK THE OfiEAtt tt'AVfc

Herbert Dribble ffaS charged willi assaillting Arthur Wiighill, tin board the liutterworth, oh the 17i&., Frank Dyer, auotiier seaman, was charged with a similar assault, and Thomas Eddinglon was charged with threatening to semi the eaid Arthur Weighill to hifl fast account with all. " his iniperftbtions bn his bead." Mn ThdrnS appeared for Dobble, and Mr. Ilesketh for Weighill. Arthur Weighill deposed that he was a passenger by the Lutterworth and defendant was also a passenger. On the 19th of July Dibble came up to him on the podpj and without any provoiiatiqn, dealt him a heavy blow on the head. He still retained the mark over his left eye. He never had any words with defendant, bub whenever he went about the sbip he was the subject of sneers and rude remarks, such as " Who's that fellah ? look his eye-glass &c ," which were not agreeable to the feelings of a gentleman. Defendant threatened to punoh his head, when he replied, "Doit;" and Dobble immediately let fl. and fctruck him in the mannir described. Mr Morgan interfered or tlie result might have been serious. Without going further into the case, a^ defendant had pleaded guilty under extenuating circumstances, the Bench imposed a fine of 2()3. and costs.

Mr Thome, for Frank Dyer, pleaded not guilty. Mr Hesketh described the nature of the assault, which related to "kissing" in the cabin.

Prosecutor deposed that he and defendant

were also passengers in the Lutterworth, and on the same day when talking with

Mr Morgan, defendant came up in an excited manner, and said t " What have you been saying about my wife ?"

He replied,

" Nothing." Defendant said

" You have, you said you saw Mr kissing my wife." He denied the base assertion, when Dyer immediately eaid he would shake his life out of him. He said "Do it." He then, intimated that he would put him on board and give him an easy death. The passengers came round and

he appealed to them for assistance, but none camo forward, there were thirty-five. He called him a Liverpool cad, and should have betn at the bottom of the Mersey. He had escaped from Birkenhead only to have a broken head, and he immediatuly raised his hand and brought it Hown with immense force upon his head. The captain appealed to the passengers to come forward and substantiate defendant's accusation, but not one appeared. Cross-examined by Mr. Thorne : He did apply the more gentlemanly epithet of

" snob" to Dyer. He did not read Thacke ray's history of those aiimals.

Joseph Kelson, cabin passenger, was close at band at the time of the row, and in consequence of what he heard, he and the captain Went on to the poop, and saw Dyer strike Arthur on the head. He heard some rough language from Dyer, but could not distinctly remember the words ; a little scandal was at the bottom of the tow.

Captain William Pearson, master of the Lutterworth, heard a great noise on the poop, and immediately ran out to see what was the matter, when he saw the blow struck by Dyer. He at once stopped the row, they were close together. He had no complaint to make against Mra Weighill and sons, nor had he anything to say against Mr Dyer. Morgan Morgan was standing en the poop steps when he heard Mr. Weighil call Mr. Dyer a " London snob," when Mr Dye called Mr Weighill a 'Liverpool cad" when Mr Dyer gave Weighill a slap in the fac c with his open hand.

Walter Cart. Weighill, brother of informant, gave evidence.

Alfred Archer described the blow as a gentle slap, and Thomas Eddington, chief mate, gave a vivid picture of the words used and the fray.

Mr. Thorne had nine other witnesses to call, but would not trouble the Court, as their evidence went to shew that Dyer merely warmed Weighill's ears. The Bench having considered the ma tter for some twenty minutes, concluded that Dyer was in the wrong, and must pay a fine of 10a. and costs.

Thomas Eddington next appeared in answer to a chaage of threatening to do for Walter Carl Weighill. The accused pleaded not guilty. Walter Carl Weighill. the informant, deposed to the nature of the language used by the chief mate who came up and stood over him with his clenched fist, threatening to twist his neck, and give him a salt sea bath From defendant's general demeanour he thought he meant it, and was anxious that he should be restrained.

Joseph Nelson said that informant was fishing for au albatross, on the 18th June j when defendant came up and swore threatening to knock him down, wrine his neck and spoil his face. He sat opposite and read a portion of "Ye ancient mariner "

William Waddleham Walker gave immaterial evidence.

Thomas Eddington, defendant, deposed that he heard a frightful noise over his head. He went up and expostulated. Did not challenge him to fight. Weighill promiaed to let him know "what for" when he got to Auckland. He did tell' him he could have as much as he wanted. He meant fighting, if necessary.

Counsel having addressed the Court the proceedings terminated by ordering the defendant to find sureties, himself in £100 and two others in £50 each, defendant to pay costs.

Mr Thome said the bail was excessive, as though his client had committed murder Mr Heskefch spoke in mitigation of the amounts.

The Court then lessened the amount of sureties by one half.